We first heard the band Negative Space at the Rock the Block event over the 4th of July weekend. The band played a really great modern rock tune, and were more than happy to sit down with us in December before they went on stage at Fat Daddy's club in York to talk about how they have gotten to where they are.

Negative Space is currently made up of five members: Josh Nice (lead vocals), Rick Lienhard (guitar/vocals), Chris Stum (guitar), Mark Reinmiller (bass), and Brian Cartwright (drums). With the exception of Brian, who has only been with the band for the past two months, they have been together for about two and a half years. Mark and Chris have known each other for about eleven years, and Rick and Josh evolved into the group to become what they are today within the past five years.

When I asked the guys what inspires them, the number one thing that they answered was the fact that they get to do what they love full-time - they don't have to worry about juggling a job and playing a gig, and they never have to worry about an alarm clock! Elsewhere on the list of inspirations was Pamela Anderson, their favorite bands, and music played by other musicians.

While they would love to play their own music all the time, they still have to put in their time and play some cover songs. Apparently, when some people hear this, they automatically write them off. But Negative Space uses the time that they play cover songs on stage for a crowd as practice time for themselves, to be able to grow and explore what they can do. And, if doing this allows them to be self-employed, then I would say that it is well worth it. As they describe it, 'covers are our day job'.

cont'd...